DURHAM – The No. 8 Duke women's lacrosse team is set to welcome Wofford (1-0) for a Thursday afternoon contest in Koskinen Stadium. Opening draw is set for 4 p.m., on ACCNX.
OPENING DRAW
Thursday marks just the second meeting between the two squads as Duke won the previous matchup in 2020. Duke is coming off four commanding victories to start the 2022 season and is averaging 23.00 goals per game, which leads the nation in scoring offense.
A LOOK BACK
The Duke women's lacrosse team continued its opening weekend success with two more victories. The Blue Devils cruised to a 23-5 win at William & Mary before a 22-13 victory at High Point. Through four games, Duke has tallied 92 goals and 47 assists for 139 points. Their 23.00 goals per game and 34.50 points per game rank first nationally.
Duke has proven to score fast and furiously this early season and received goal contributions from 17 different players. Not only are they scoring in bunches, the Blue Devils are also sharing the ball well with 47 assists on 92 goals, led by three Blue Devils with eight -
Catriona Barry,
Olivia Carner and
Eva Greco. In Duke's win at High Point, graduate student
Catriona Barry tallied a career-high 11 points off of seven goals and four assists. Her 11 points ties for first on Duke's individual single-game records list. She was named USA Lacrosse Magazine's Player of the Week for her efforts.
SCOUTING THE TERRIERS
Thursday marks just the second meeting between the two squads as Duke won the previous matchup in 2020. Wofford is 1-0 after defeating Akron, 14-9, in its season opener. The Terriers are led by Emma Gentile with six points (3G, 3A) and Elisabeth Ralph (4G). Goalkeeper Aislinn Washburn played the entirity of the first game and picked up 11 saves for a .550 save percentage in the cage.
BARRY FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS
Graduate student
Catriona Barry was named USA Lacrosse Magazine's Player of the Week following her standout performance over the weekend. With at least four goals in each of Duke's four games this season, Barry leads the team with 21 goals and eight assists for 29 points. In Duke's 22-13 victory over High Point Sunday, the Napa, Calif., native tallied 11 points (7G, 4A), which ties for first on Duke's individual single-game records list. Her 11 points are also the second most nationally in a single game this season while her seven goals are tied for first. So far this spring, Barry is second in the nation in goals per game (5.25) and third in points per game (7.25). As a team, the Blue Devils lead the country in scoring offense (23.00) and points per game (34.50).
DESO FILLING UP THE STAT SHEET
Sophomore
Katie DeSimone has had standout performances on the offensive front for the Blue Devils. The Bay Shore, N.Y., is second on the team with 26 points (21G, 5A) and is shooting .583 percent. DeSimone ranks second nationally in total points this season. She also owns eight ground balls and two caused turnovers. Last season, the ACC All-Freshman Team honoree collected 25 goals and is well on her way to exceeding that this spring.
THE DRAW CONTROL QUEEN
Senior
Maddie Jenner returns to the circle in 2022 as arguably the best in the sport at the draw. She was named a Preseason All-America honoree by
Inside Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse Magazine after having a highly successful junior campaign.
Jenner has been spectacular this spring with 63 draws in four games. In Duke's win at High Point, Jenner grabbed a career-high 21, surpassing her previous of 19. That is the most in a single game in Duke history, besting her sister Olivia's 20 in 2019. She also owns eight points (7G, 1A) this season. Over the course of her career, she has amassed 434 total draws as the nation's NCAA active career leader in draw controls per game (8.86). She needs 79 draw controls to become Duke's all-time draw control leader, which is currently owned by her sister, Olivia.
LOOKING AHEAD
Duke returns to Koskinen Stadium Monday, Feb. 28 for its final non-conference for a few weeks. The Blue Devils will take on East Carolina at 5 p.m., on ACCNX.
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